World Wildlife Fund

From organizing an Earth Day-themed karaoke fundraiser to participating in a trash clean-up in their local community, Americans have pledged to take action to conserve mother earth for Earth Day 2007. More than 2,000 people have made pledges for change on World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Day website.

The site is a part of WWF’s “Time for Change” campaign, which asks Americans to take control over the fate of the planet during the 50 days leading up to Earth Day by challenging everyone to make a change in their lives to stop global warming, conserve our natural resources and protect the diversity of life on earth.

Through the campaign, WWF encourages Americans to make a commitment to conservation and share that commitment with the rest of the world. The “Time for Change” website serves as a public forum, allowing visitors to describe what they are doing to make a difference for Earth Day and post their pledge on the website along with photos, stories, or other items they’d like to share.

“The people have spoken. They’re concerned about the fate of the planet and they want to do something about it,” said Terry Macko, WWF’s vice president of membership and partner marketing. “We have received an incredible number of responses and are thrilled that we’re able to be an outlet for these personal commitments to affect change.”  

See below for a sample of the pledges from the WWF “Time for Change” website:

“I drive a hybrid car, use compact fluorescent bulbs in all lights, compost my garbage, recycle; do whatever I can to make a difference, and for Earth Day, I will be researching other ways to do my part. We all have to commit to doing something to make a change!”

-- Sue, Gilford, NH

“I will be sharing with neighbors, family and friends the importance of using non-toxic household cleaning products. My commitment is to reach 500 households by Earth Day. “

-- Vivian, Randallstown, MD

“I try to make everyday Earth Day. I take only public transportation or walk, I buy recycled products such as bags and clothing. I reuse my paper grocery bags at the store to cut back on waste. Also as an interior designer, I use fabrics made out of recycled materials and specialize in green design. Every little bit helps. Do what you can and we can make a big difference!”

-- Nicole, San Francisco, CA

“My three friends and I are holding an Earth Day Poetry Festival. On April 22 we are inviting poets from the D.C. area to come share their work themed around the Earth.”

-- Bridget, Washington, D.C.

“In addition to the everyday things I do to help the environment -- recycle everything I can, cold water laundry and hang dry, utilize public transportation, etc. -- I’m saving up to buy a more fuel efficient/low emissions vehicle and plan as green a wedding as possible when I get married this Autumn! Hard to do on a student budget, but not impossible!”

-- Dawn, Vallejo, CA

WWF is also making philanthropy accessible to all Americans through a nationwide coin collection during the 50 days before Earth Day to support the organization’s global conservation efforts. Over the past two months, people who have pledged to collect at least $50 to support WWF received in the mail an Earth Day fundraising kit, complete with an earth-shaped bank for collecting “change” and a Time for Change poster illustrating WWF’s priority conservation areas and some of the extraordinary wildlife WWF is protecting in those areas.

A Texas father gave the globe to his daughter who became WWF’s youngest fundraiser:

“I signed up this year so my 4-year-old, animal-loving daughter could become involved with the WWF. We received her globe and pounded the pavement. She had her speech down and went to numerous local businesses in our town asking for a donation to the WWF, she added that she needed spare change to make change for Earth Day.”

-- Shawn, Splendora, TX

A teacher in New York shares the efforts of her students:

“My high school biology students in Manhattan are donating their leftover lunch money, coins they’ve collected in jars over the years, and even their allowance. We have studied both local and global environmental issues all year and wanted to help preserve our beautiful world for Earth Day. “

-- Danielle, Rockville Centre, NY

In conjunction with the campaign, there are six days left for anyone in America to participate in the WWF Earth Day Coin Count Challenge. Visitors to the website can guess how many coins will be donated to WWF from March 4 through April 22. One grand prize winner will receive a 7-day excursion for two to see polar bears up close in the wild in Churchill, Canada courtesy of Natural Habitat Adventures. Other prizes provided by sponsors include 5-night stays at any DoubleTree Hotel in North America and digital cameras from HP.

For more information and to participate in the WWF Time for Change program, visit www.worldwildlife.org/earthday.

WWF would like to thank these 2007 Time for Change sponsors: Coinstar, Inc., Natural Habitat Adventures, DoubleTree Hotels, HP, and Animal Planet.

Time for Change website

http://www.worldwildlife.org/earthday

http://www.worldwildlife.org/earthday